Charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of his wife last month, a Wisconsin man has been granted permission by a judge to withdraw $37,000 from a retirement account to pay his defense lawyer.

Earlier this month, a Fond du Lac Circuit Court judge restrained Jason E. Anderson, 35, from using funds from the marital estate for his legal defense. But yesterday another judge agreed he could use 401(k) account funds to pay attorney Robin Shellow, says the Fond du Lac Reporter.

Seemingly distraught in a court hearing this week, Anderson killed his 33-year-old wife, Nicole, when a gun accidentally discharged, according to a court document filed by the lawyer. It says Anderson thought he heard an intruder in their home and armed himself with a handgun. It went off when Anderson knocked it against some furniture, and, knocked off balance by the recoil, he fell and discharged it unintentionally a second time.

Anderson left Wisconsin after the slaying and was tracked to Alabama by authorities through a debit card.